• END TRAFFICKING & MODERN SLAVERY

  • Globally, over 20 million men, women and children are victims of human trafficking every year.

  • For every 10 victims of human trafficking detected globally, about five were adult women and two were girls.

  • Of detected victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation, 92% are females.

What is Trafficking & Modern Slavery?

Human trafficking is modern slavery. It is the exploitation of a person through force, fraud, or coercion. Slavery today has shifted further from physical shackles of bars and chains, which have been replaced with financial shackles of debt and poverty, and situational shackles. Different types of human trafficking include sex trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude.

Trafficking in persons is a crime under international law and many national legal orders. It is a violation of human rights. Trafficking and modern slavery are complex issues that require a comprehensive and coordinated response from governments, civil society, international organszations, and the private sector to address the root causes and protect vulnerable individuals.

How Does Trafficking & Modern Slavery Occur?

Trafficking and modern slavery result from complex factors that create vulnerabilities and enable exploitation:

Poverty: Individuals in poverty are more susceptible to false promises of employment or a better life, leading to exploitation and debt bondage.

Lack of education: Limited access to education and information on rights makes people more vulnerable to deception by traffickers.

Gender inequality: Girls face discrimination, violence, and limited opportunities, increasing their vulnerability to exploitation.

Political instability and displacement: Conflict & natural disasters create chaos, making individuals more susceptible to trafficking.

Weak rule of law and corruption: Traffickers can operate more easily in countries with weak rule of law and corrupt officials.

Global demand for cheap labour: The demand for cheap labor and goods creates opportunities for exploitation in various industries.

Social and cultural factors: Practices like child marriage or caste-based discrimination perpetuate vulnerability and enable exploitation.

Migration: Migrants searching for better opportunities may lack legal status, language skills, or social support, making them vulnerable to traffickers.

How Does Trafficking & Modern Slavery affect Girls’ Human Rights?

  • RIGHT TO LIFE & SECURITY

    Exposure to dangerous situations, forced labor, and hazardous conditions violate girls' rights to life, liberty, and security.

  • RIGHT TO FREEDOM FROM SLAVERY

    Sexual exploitation, such as sex trafficking, constitutes a form of modern slavery.

  • RIGHT TO FREEDOM FROM TORTURE, CRUEL, INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT

    Physical, emotional, and sexual abuse infringes on girls' rights to be free from torture and cruel treatment.

  • RIGHT TO REPRODUCTIVE & PHYSICAL HEALTH

    Forced commercial sexual exploitation and abuse infringe on girls' rights to sexual and reproductive health. Physical injuries, malnutrition, and mental health issues result from trafficking and modern slavery

  • RIGHT TO EDUCATION

    Trafficking disrupts education, limiting future opportunities and perpetuating cycles of poverty and vulnerability.

  • RIGHT TO WORK & ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE

    Exploitative work conditions deny girls their rights to safe work, fair pay, and economic independence.

  • RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT

    Restricted freedom of movement through confinement or coercion violates girls' rights.

  • RIGHT TO EQUALITY & NON-DISCRIMINATION

    Trafficking disproportionately affects girls, perpetuating gender inequality and denying equal protection under the law.

The International Legal Framework

  • United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (the Palermo Protocol)

    UNTOC aims to combat transnational organised crime, including human trafficking. It is supplemented by the Palermo Protocol, which provides the first internationally agreed upon definition of human trafficking and requires countries to criminalise trafficking, protect and assist victims, and promote international cooperation in investigating and prosecuting traffickers. It specifically focuses on women and children.

  • International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions

    The ILO has several conventions related to forced labor and child labor, including the Forced Labour Convention (No. 29), the Abolition of Forced Labour Convention (No. 105), and the Minimum Age Convention (No. 138). These conventions require countries to take measures to eliminate forced labor and child labor in all its forms.

  • Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)

    The CRC, adopted in 1989, protects the rights of children and requires countries to take all appropriate measures to prevent the abduction, sale, or trafficking of children.

  • Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings

    This convention, which entered into force in 2008, requires European countries to adopt a comprehensive approach to combat human trafficking, including measures to prevent trafficking, protect victims, and prosecute traffickers.

  • United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

    The SDGs, adopted in 2015, include a target (8.7) to “take immediate and effective measure to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour.

How Can Girls Advocate to End Trafficking & Modern Slavery?

  • Learn about human trafficking and modern slavery, including its causes, consequences, and the signs that someone may be a victim. Educate others.

  • Partner with local, national, or international organizations working to combat trafficking and modern slavery.

  • Create or join clubs or youth groups in schools or communities focused on raising awareness and advocating against trafficking and modern slavery. These groups can organize events, engage in local advocacy efforts, and provide peer-to-peer support.

  • Write letters, attend public meetings, or use social media to convey concerns and recommendations on policies to local and national policymakers. Advocate for stronger laws, enforcement, and support for victims.

  • Use social media to raise awareness about trafficking and modern slavery, share stories, and connect with others working on similar issues. Creating a broader community of advocates and supporters can amplify the impact.

  • Join or organise campaigns, workshops, or conferences that raise awareness and promote action against trafficking and modern slavery.

  • Advocate for access to quality education, skills training, and economic opportunities for vulnerable populations, as these can help reduce the risk of trafficking and modern slavery.